Hill to direct ‘Chipmunks’

Vitti wrote CG-live action pic

Tim Hill is in negotiations to direct the CG-live action hybrid pic “Alvin and the Chipmunks” for Fox 2000 and Fox Animation.

Penned by Jon Vitti, project is based on the 1950s cartoon series about a music group of chipmunks comprised of mischievous group leader Alvin; tall and quiet Simon; and chubby, impressionable Theodore.

Bagdasarian Prods.’ Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and Janice Karman are producing. The late Ross Bagdasarian Sr. was the creator of “Alvin” and provided the characters’ high-pitched voices.

Hill co-wrote and directed Fox’s “Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties,” which has grossed almost $150 million worldwide. He also directed Disney’s “Max Keeble’s Big Move” and Sony’s “Muppets From Space.” He has also created more than 20 shows for Nickelodeon and was the head writer on “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie.”